The Comptroller of Puerto Rico issues an adverse opinion on the contracting of professional engineering services for the design, supervision, and inspection of works and permanent improvements of the Municipality of Hormigueros.
The two-finding Report reveals that the Municipality contracted a regular corporation for the design and construction of a greenhouse in the Guanajibo ward. As it was not a professional corporation, it was not authorized to practice engineering or to offer design services, and its president was also not registered as a licensed engineer in Puerto Rico. In addition, the construction company subcontracted an engineer for the design of the greenhouse without the Municipality authorizing it as required by the Civil Code of Puerto Rico.
The audit also points out that for the construction of the Municipality's Official Athletic Track, an engineer (Designer) was contracted who designed the plans for $153,664. He, in turn, subcontracted the soil study to a corporation whose president was not a licensed engineer nor authorized to provide engineering services. The Designer also did not supervise the construction work for which he was contracted for $82,215, but rather delegated it to an Assistant who was also not authorized to practice the engineering profession.
These situations were referred to the Secretary of Justice in April 2016, who determined that it is up to the municipality to make the corresponding collection efforts. In this regard, our auditors determined that $14,513 in improper payments were made. The situations remain pending investigation by the President of the College of Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico and by the President of the Examining Board.
See Audit Report M-17-22.
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